Celia is most well-known by literature fans due to the character in “As You Like It” by William Shakespeare. The name actually originates a few hundred years before the time of this play, however, in Roman culture. In more modern times, Celia is a top 800 name for girls.
Meaning of the name Celia:
Latin: heaven
Origin of the name Celia:
Some claim that Celia is just a nickname for Cecilia. In reality, Celia is the girls' form of the surname Caelius that comes from ancient Roman culture. The name first became popularized with the English-speaking world after the release of Shakespeare's “As You Like It.”
Symbolism of the name Celia:
The Roman family name, which ultimately became a boy's name, Caelius, comes from the word “caelum” in Latin. This word translates to “heaven” in English, giving Celia the same meaning.
Style of the name Celia:
Classical
Gender of the name Celia:
Celia feels international and regal for little girls.
Pronunciation of the name Celia:
SEEL-yuh or SEE-lee-uh
Number of syllables in the name Celia:
Two or three depending on pronunciation
Emotion evoked from the name Celia:
Celia is a baby name that feels international and honors the Latin origins it has. It has a regal feel, however, so that it maintains class.
Alternative spellings for the name Celia:
- Cellia
- Cellya
- Celya
- Selia
- Sellia
- Selya
- Sellya
Nicknames for the name Celia:
- Cece
- Lia
- Ce
- Celi
- Cel
- Cee
- Ceil
Popularity of the name Celia:
Celia was a top 200 name for baby girls in America from 1900 to 1915. It dropped to the top 300 list until 1931, and again from 1933 to 1936. The baby name is still not as popular as it was once, even now with the rise of vintage names. As of 2020, it ranks at number 784 for girls.
Related names for the name Celia:
Great middle names for Celia and their meanings:
- Mary (beloved)
- Gwen (white, holy)
- Juliet (downy-haired, youthful)
- Jane (God is gracious)
- Evangeline (good news)
- Margot (pearl)
- Rosemary (dew of the sea)
Famous people with the name Celia:
- Celia Johnson (actress, “Brief Encounter”)
- Celia Adler (actress, “Almonds and Raisins”)
- Celia Imrie (actress, “Love Sarah”)
- Celia Weston (actress, “Alice”)
- Celia Rubin (actress, “Matilda the Musical”)
- Celia Calderon (painter)
Celias in popular culture:
- Celia (character from “As You Like It”)
- Celia (character from “The Lady's Dressing Room”)
- Celia Bowen (character from “The Night Circus”)
- Celia Brooke (character from “Middlemarch”)
- Celia Foote (character from “The Help”)
- Celia Copletone (character from “The Cocktail Party”)